AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli on Saturday vowed to help former player Sandro Tonali with the reported gambling addiction that sees him facing a lengthy ban after admitting betting on AC during his time there from 2020 until his move to Newcastle in the close season.
Tonali, 23, is facing a possible ban of over a year after admitting he always bet on Milan to win and after fellow Italy midfielder Nicolò Fagioli of Juventus got a seven-month ban plus five months activity telling young people not to imitate him.
Speaking ahead of Sunday night's top of the table clash with Juve at the San Siro, with Milan top on 21 points and Juve third behind Inter on 17, Pioli, who turned 58 Friday, said: "We were surprised and shocked by this situation. Our thoughts go out to Sandro. If I loved him ten times then now I love him a hundred.
He knows that if I can be of help I will always be at his side.
I will try to help him.
"I don't want to judge him for what he may have done, but I would like to judge him," Pioli explained, "for how he will manage to overcome this moment, for his desire to redeem himself. And also become an example for others."
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
